Walled Lake Western students mourn loss of Homecoming King

The death of a popular and talented Walled Lake Western High School student has sent shock waves through the district.

Michael Camilleri, a senior at the school, captain of the soccer team and 2012 homecoming king, died Monday evening. The death was ruled a suicide by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office, and a note sent home to parents and students indicated the attempt occurred Thursday at his home following recent struggles with depression.

Watch a report on the suicide on today's News at Noon.

Advertisement

"Honestly, he was exactly what you want in a kid," said Walled Lake Western baseball coach Mike Larges.

Camilleri, 17, held a 4.3 grade point average and was deciding between the University of Michigan and Stanford for college. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the school's Positive Peer Influence group and also was a captain of the baseball team.

About 500 students attended a candlelight vigil for Camilleri at the school's football stadium on Sunday. Larges said often times, events like those feature embellishments as people attempt to be nice to the person who has passed.

"The hardest part was everything that everybody said about Michael was true," said Larges, who coached the starting second baseman for three years.

"He smiled every day," Larges said. "He was a 'Yes sir,' 'No sir,' kind of kid. His passing affected a lot more than just the students."

Parents -- there were "50 or 60 at the vigil" -- and faculty also took it hard, Larges said.

"I love him and I miss him," Larges said.

"I wish I knew and could have been there. It's eating me up as much as the kids."

Even students from rival schools were affected by Camilleri.

A Walled Lake Central student spoke at the vigil and said "he just wants everyone to be like a Michael Camilleri," Larges said.

The saying caught on quickly, with students reaching out on Twitter to share the message.

Several students tweeted some version of "Be a Michael Camilleri," a clear symbol of the positive effect that Camilleri had on his fellow students throughout his life.

"That's kind of how it's been," Larges said. "Everyone just said 'Be a Michael.'

"He was that kid who, if he saw you sad or saw you down, he'd ask 'What's going on?' Twenty or 25 kids at the (vigil) said whenever they were down, (Camilleri) didn't even known them, he would just ask 'What's wrong?'"

Even in death, Camilleri will continue to help others, as his organs were donated.

School officials developed a crisis response plan and arranged for crisis counselors, including psychologists and social workers, to be on hand for any student who needs them.

A moment of silence was observed at the school shortly before lunch Tuesday.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at St. James Catholic Church, 46325 W. 10 Mile Road in Novi.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Michael Camilleri scholarship fund. Details will be posted on the Walled Lake Western High School website at www.wlcsd.org/Western.cfm in the coming days.